Eucryphia

( yew - KRIFF - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This is a group of evergreen to semi-evergreen shrubs or trees that needs regular water and does best in sun but can tolerate some shade. They are native to Chile (where they are called Ulmo), Argentina and Tasmania and have slender, upright growth. Flowers are generally white with yellow stamens and are fragrant. Can be great accent plants in the garden; the size of these trees make them perfect for smaller gardens, narrow spaces, and adding height to smaller mixed beds. Bees love these trees and shrubs; honey produced by bees who feed on these flowers' pollen is called Ulmo Honey.

Eucryphia Species and Varietals

The genus Eucryphia includes seven species of shrubs and trees, and is a member of the family Cunoniaceae. Eucryphia grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 5, 6, and 15-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Eucryphia glutinosa (Nirrhe, Guindo Santo, Brush Bush, Chilean Brush Bush)
This tree is native to central Chile, and can reach 10-25 feet tall and 5-15 feet wide. Leaves are shiny and dark green, and turn yellow, orange, or red in the fall. Flowers are fragrant and appear in late summertime. Can be slow to establish; best in moisture retentive soil rich in organic matter.

Eucryphia lucida (Leatherwood)
This species, native to Tasmania, gets 20-30 feet tall and half as wide. Leaves are glossy green and fragrant blooms appear in summer. Variety 'Pink Cloud' (pictured) has red-centered rosy blossoms. This species will require some shelter or cover in cooler zones to prevent dying back in cooler weather.

Eucryphia x nymansensis (Nyman's Eucryphia)
This group of hybrid Eucryphia has many varieties, including 'Mount Usher' (20 feet tall and 8 feet wide) and 'Nymansay' (grows to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, with honey-scented flowers). These hybrids generally bloom in late summertime.

Caring for Eucryphia

Plant Eucryphia in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. Some species, such as Ranunculus repens, do best in soggy environments, such as along the edges of ponds or other water features.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Some taller varieties of Ranunculus may require staking or netting to remain upright. At the end of the growing season when foliage turns yellow and then brown and dies back, it can be removed. Corms can be either left in place and mulched over to protect them from frosty temperatures, or they can be dug up and stored in a cool, dark, dry place over the winter months.

Grow Eucryphia shrubs and trees in soil that is well-draining but kept on the moist side. They prefer a soil pH of between 4.0 and 6.5, and love mild and moist climates, especially along coastlines. Eucryphia does best when not planted in near any large trees; this will allow your tree or shrub to get the water it needs without having to fight for it, and keeps it in full sun exposure. Plant in full sun in a protected area of the garden in fall, and mulch around the base of the plant to increase soil water retention. While your Eucryphia is getting established, water regularly in summertime, spread compost around the base in fall, and protect from damaging frosts in wintertime. At maturity, these shrubs and trees require much less care. Pruning Eucryphia is simple; just remove dead or damaged branches. Allow these shrubs and trees to keep their natural habit; only prune to shape very minimally.

Propagation

Eucryphia can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. Also take note that a Eucryphia propagated by seed can take up to three years to reach a stage where it will be ready to be transplanted into the garden. To propagate your tree or shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Eucryphia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In July or August, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Cuttings are more likely to root and grow successfully if they are taken from a young plant, rather than a mature one. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more semi-hardwood, 3-4 inch long, straight portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch. Strip almost all of the leaves off of the cutting, leaving just the top two or three leaves on the stem. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about one to four months have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
About a year after planting, your propagated Eucryphia can be transplanted to a larger pot.
Keep your potted-up Eucryphia in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for another year. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next fall, when you can transplant it to its new home. Protect from frosts as it establishes itself outdoors, provide it with ample waterings, and mulch around the base to increase soil water retention.

Propagating Eucryphia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds in late summer to early fall, after flowers fade. You are looking for seeds from the previous season; they will be a bit further down the branches than this season's seed pods, and will be dark brown and dry. The seeds are contained in leathery or woody capsules (see the photos below). Cut the seed capsules off of the plant, and place them in a paper bag. Store them in a cool, dry environment until the following springtime, when they can be sown.
In springtime, fill your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-3 months from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet. Continue to pot up as needed. Eucryphia propagated by seed can take as many as three years to reach a maturity where they can be planted out in the garden in fall. Protect from frosts as it establishes itself outdoors, provide it with ample waterings, and mulch around the base to increase soil water retention.

Eucryphia seed heads.

Eucryphia seeds.

Problems and Pests

Eucryphia trees and shrubs are not vulnerable to pests or disease. For information on commonly encountered home garden pests and diseases, consult the following pages:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues